Jesse Chuku stands out on Lehigh men's basketball team

One of the more interesting stories on Lehigh men's basketball roster is United Kingdom native Jesse Chuku. Chuku graduated from high school at the age of 16 before attending a college prep school to prepare to attend a university. His basketball abilities and size had garnered attention, though, and Chuku, who represented England for the nation’s under-16 and under-18 teams, traveled to Connecticut to attend Kimball Union Academy for his college prep.

Chuku was a highly-touted prospect in the recruiting process, despite the fact that he was only eligible to play for three years and saw the success Lehigh was having under Head Coach Brett Reed. He chose Lehigh over more traditional winning programs in the Atlantic 10 conference.

“He’s got a good head on his shoulders,” Reed said. “He saw the value in education and he saw a place he could hone his physical skills and make a difference on the team.”

Chuku immediately took to the campus and atmosphere.

“When I took my visit, the whole atmosphere and team made me comfortable,” he said. “The coaches, the players, they had a really strong family bond.”

Standing at 6’8”, Chuku is one of the tallest players on the team, but has a versatile skill set that will limit him to stay close to the basket. Chuku has the perimeter shooting ability, agility and size to play a few different positions on the basketball court, and Reed has a potential landing spot for him on the team over the next few years.

Chuku sees himself playing that role when Greiner graduates this year.

“Holden has really brought me under his wing, taught me the system, where he is and what he’s doing in Coach Reed’s offense and defense,” Chuku said.

Chuku came to Lehigh because Reed had started a winning tradition, and he is excited to help continue that tradition after the team loses CJ McCollum, Gabe Knutson and Greiner.

The basketball team is, again, winning a lot of games this year, but even the freshmen quickly realize the game that everyone circles on their calendar. Although the game will not be played until the end of January, Chuku is already excited for the first time he faces the Lafayette College Leopards.